{"id":2529,"date":"2026-08-13T06:07:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T06:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2529"},"modified":"2026-08-13T06:07:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T06:07:04","slug":"colombias-earthquake-is-deja-vu-for-venezuelans-the-government-response-is-anything-but","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2529","title":{"rendered":"Colombia\u2019s earthquake is d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu for Venezuelans. The government response is anything but"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) \u2014 For the second time in two months, the ground was shaking<\/span> in South America. Once again, families flooded social media with pleas for help finding missing loved<\/span> ones under flattened buildings. Once again, governments across political divides and continents pledged aid<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Read more What to know from AP\u2019s report about pregnant women and babies dying in Nepal amid USAID cuts<\/a><\/p>\n

But in many ways, the contrast between Colombia\u2019s 7.4-magnitude<\/span> earthquake on Monday and Venezuela\u2019s back-to-back temblors<\/span> on June 24 could not have been more stark.<\/p>\n

In Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez<\/span> waited nearly four hours before addressing the nation. In Colombia, newly inaugurated<\/span> President Abelardo de la Espriella announced an emergency command post to oversee rescue efforts barely an hour after the earthquake struck. For weeks, Venezuelan civilians were clawing<\/span> through rubble by hand. Hours after the earthquake in Colombia, rescue teams were searching for survivors with cranes and excavators.<\/p>\n

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In Venezuela, Rodr\u00edguez relied on rescuers from around the world to fill critical gaps in the state\u2019s response. Colombia has so far declined foreign crews except for those from the United States, saying it has enough personnel and has requested humanitarian supplies instead.<\/p>\n

The contrast is a reminder of the differences between the neighboring nations \u2014 their political systems, resources and the strength of their institutions \u2014 and a demonstration of how those can take on life-or-death importance in catastrophes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe differences between an authoritarian regime and a democratic system can be seen clearly in the institutions and in their capacity to respond to an emergency,\u201d said Ronal Rodr\u00edguez, a Venezuela specialist at Colombia\u2019s Rosario University. \u201cCrises are also political opportunities.\u201d <\/p>\n

In Colombia, a political newcomer takes charge<\/h2>\n

De la Espriella, a conservative former criminal defense lawyer with no previous political experience, was sworn in as president<\/span> in Colombia\u2019s third-largest city, Cali, less than 72 hours before the earthquake toppled buildings there and across the country\u2019s far-flung provinces \u2014 the very regions he\u2019d pledged to prioritize on the campaign trail.<\/p>\n

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Even before the earthquake, the political novice was navigating a fraught transition from predecessor Gustavo Petro<\/span>, Colombia\u2019s first leftist president, who at first refused to recognize<\/span> de la Espriella\u2019s narrow victory<\/span> and alleged electoral fraud.<\/p>\n

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Their feud derailed Colombia\u2019s formal handover process, leaving key agencies \u2014 including the national disaster management agency \u2014 in the hands of officials de la Espriella attacked as a candidate.<\/p>\n

But humanitarian workers say the government\u2019s earthquake response has transcended those tensions, reflecting the resilience of Colombia\u2019s democracy.<\/p>\n

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